EncorePro Events

Can someone explain (or send me to a link) to provide additional explanation of some terms in EncorePro reports. Specifically what is the difference between flow limitation and hypopnea?
Also the EncorePro reports lists vibratory snore, What is a vibratory snore and should that alone initiate pressure increases in a APAP?
The database records "VB" events.... are these variable breathing events? Are these important, such that they should also be on the printed report?

Thanks for the help, I'm really trying to understand the treatment of my condition.

You may have already read this link:

viewArticle/Encore-Pro-Respironics-CPAP ... Derek.html

A Flow Limitation is basically a smaller hypopnea.

A Vibratory Snore is something that the machine detects as a "snore".
It may well increase pressure in an APAP. (it did in my case)

Variable Breathing.......nobody really knows for sure, and since Respironics didn't put it in their Encore Pro reports.....it may not be "important", but it's kind of interesting to see how it varies.....or not. Derek put them in his MyEncore reports.

Best wishes,

Den

Variable Breathing does not pertain to actual events, but rather the machine is in Variable Breathing Mode. It has seen some erratic breathing and has suspended Titration Mode. The basic goal of VBM seems to be to move the patient back to the setting that was in effect before the onset of erratic breathing.

For a brief discourse on the mechanics of Variable Breathing, see

Variable Breathing

SAG

Thanks, dataq1, for this thread. I needed the definition of these terms and now won't have to ask.

And thanks, Wulfman, for explaining that what my machine is detecting as snores is increasing pressure in my APAP. If a Flow Limitation is basically a smaller hypopnea, does this mean it is not included in the hypopnea index?

Regards from Alisha,

Alisha wrote:Thanks, dataq1, for this thread. I needed the definition of these terms and now won't have to ask.

And thanks, Wulfman, for explaining that what my machine is detecting as snores is increasing pressure in my APAP. If a Flow Limitation is basically a smaller hypopnea, does this mean it is not included in the hypopnea index?

Regards from Alisha,

Alisha,

Your profile shows that you have an Auto. If you're using it in a range of pressures, there should be a portion of the Encore Pro reports that show "Flow Limitations". If you had a night with flow limitations, if you add up the other indexes (HI and AI), you'll notice that the FLI is not included.....nor is it included in the Hypopnea Index.
I believe the logic on increasing pressure on snores is that since the events occur on inhale, and snoring occurs on inhale, that if the pressure isn't enough to squash the snoring, it may not be enough to prevent an apnea or hypopnea from occurring. So.....raise the pressure until it stops or after several pressure rises, it gives up. Sometimes, the events occur too quickly for the pressure increases to stop them, too. Only a small fraction of my apneas and hypopneas are preceeded by a snore.

Best wishes,

Den